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April is Fair Housing Month

April 18, 2012

PERU — This April the Illini Valley Association of Realtors will join Americans across the country as they honor Fair Housing Month. As leading advocates for homeownership, realtors strongly support the Fair Housing Act and strive to promote inclusion, diversity and fairness in today’s housing industry.

This year marks the 44th anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. In addition to these seven protected classes, the state of Illinois also prohibits discrimination based on ancestry, age, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from military service and “order of protection status” which was added to the Illinois list of protected classes in 2010.

“Realtors build communities and believe everyone has the right to live wherever they can afford to live,” said Barb Bryant, 2012 president of the Illini Valley Association of Realtors. “It is important to take time to recognize Fair Housing Month in order to promote awareness about fair housing laws, diversity and inclusion in our communities. Realtors are committed to upholding these laws and to work tirelessly to offer equal professional services to everyone.”

In celebration of Fair Housing month, the Illini Valley Association of Realtors Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee partnered with the Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living and 1st Farm Credit Services to provide a breakfast program on Life Time Homes and Universal Design presented by William L. Gorman, executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois. In addition, the Illini Valley Association of Realtors Equal Opportunity in Housing Committee extended an invitation to all local mayors to sign proclamations proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month and planned a special open house earlier in April.

“The Illini Valley Association of Realtors has developed and implemented fair housing education, programs and resources for members because realtors believe homeownership is an investment in everyone’s future,” said Bryant. “This month realtors reconfirm our pledge to build communities and an environment where everyone can choose where they want to live.”

Through the years the Illinois Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors have developed education on diversity and fair housing laws. These programs and resources have educated realtors across the state and the country on the importance of inclusive housing practices and the promotion of minority homeownership.

The Illini Valley Association of Realtors is one of more than 1,800 local boards and associations of realtors that comprise the National Association of Realtors. As the nation’s largest trade association, NAR represents nearly 750,000 members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.